Astrid Dalins: 13 Years of REEF Cakes By Pearce Klevan ’97 Astrid’s cakes are as much an institution at REEF as she is at Ransom Everglades. I had the pleasure of being a student in her amazing art class while in high school, working with her at the Bass Museum Summer Camp, and ultimately becoming friends with her. The only thing more eccentric and fun than Astrid is the amazing works of art she creates and helps her students bring to life. This interview is a dedication and celebration of a true Ransom Everglades legend who has been an invaluable part of so many students’ lives over the course of three amazing decades. Thank you, Astrid! PK: How and when did you get started at Ransom Everglades? In 1995, I was teaching art history part-time at DASH, painting and art history at FIU, and served as an art consultant for the magnet school, Norland Middle School – all in one day, every day. Plus, I was working at the Bass Museum Summer Camp. I knew the photo teacher at RE from the University of Miami graduate school, and she told me that there was an opening for an art teacher, so I figured I’d interview. It was fulltime in one place, so that seemed like something good to try, although I didn’t mind the running around. What are some of the things you love about working at RE/ with RE students? On day one I almost fell over when so many students said “Good Morning” or “Good Morning, Ms. Dalins.” The good cheer and politeness were extraordinary. And they were always happy and eager to try any project in any media. It was a treat to teach. What experiences did you have before joining? It never seemed like teaching ART was the focus. It was lots of discipline and paperwork that went with that. I’m not a fan of either. Tell me a bit about your boating/fishing background? When my mother was pregnant with me, my dad built a 30’ Chris Craft in our driveway in Cincinnati, Ohio ... then built a trailer and drove it to San Diego, California where he got a job as a civil engineer at the naval base. He was boating for four months in California before he met me and we moved to California and started
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